SKARPNORD WINS VICTORIA OPEN BY THREE SHOTS

FROM THE AUSTRALIAN LPG WEBSITE 
With some additional words by Colin Farquharson
Norway’s Marianne Skarpnord held her nerve to win the Oates Victorian Open at the place she now calls home, 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads, Australia.

Skarpnord, pictured, winner of the 2003 British girls' open title at Newport, carded rounds of 70, 68, 68 and 73 to finish at  13-under-par 279 over the par-73 course -  three clear of England’s Holly Clyburn (73) and  Victorian Su Oh (72).
Sharing fourth place was Rachel Hetherington  (69) and Rebecca Artis (71).
Skarpnord, a three time Ladies European Tour winner, didn’t have an easy time of it. The pressure came primarily from Oh.
“I was struggling a bit today. I just couldn’t get the ball in the  hole. I had some great chances in the front nine and missed them… 10,11  had good chances and I just didn’t take them,” said the Norwegian.
“To be honest I got a bit nervous out there because Su was playing  really, really well. She is a great player and just fantastic to play  with. I’m sure it’s not going to take long before she’s got the  trophies. She’s going to be really good.”
What does the feel like to win?
Marianne responded with a massive smile.
“It feels great… I’m not going to say anything but it might be a double.  Fingers crossed. That would be… I can’t even describe it… awesome.”
It was indeed a double for the champion, as her fiancé, Richard Green,  won the men's Vic Open title in a play-off over Nick Cullen. “It is like a dream coming true, a fairy tale. This week has been  unreal. First we got engaged last week, moved into the house on Monday,  he had an albatross on Wednesday, and here we are today winners, so  don’t think I can ask for anything more.”
Oh, who was tied for the lead with three to play, didn’t finish well. She was in with an outside chance and she went for the win when she got  into trouble off the tee, which cost her a double bogey
"I don’t really care if I come second  or third or fourth. It doesn’t really matter. I gave it a shot and  maybe next time I will pull it off. I am really happy I went for it.”
Sally Watson, the first-round and tied for the halfway lead, eventually finished T8 on 288 after a nightmare final round of 77 in which she finished bogey, bogey, triple bogey for 41 shots on the back nine.
Kylie Walker, in contrast, saved her best to last - a three-under 70 gave her a total of 295 and a share of 24th position. The Glasgow player had five birdies on her card, including a strong finish at the 14th, 17th and 18th. She would have made the final top 20 but for a double bogey at the fifth.
The third Scot in the field, Ellon's Michele Thomson, also finshed on 295 with a last-round 75.
The ALPG Tour now heads to Queensland for the 2015 RACV Ladies Masters.
OATES VICTORIA WOMEN'S OPEN
Barwon Heats, 13th Beach Links, Australia

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 292 (4x73)
279 M Skarpnord (Nor) 70 68 68 73
282 Su Oh (Aust) 73 65 72 72, H Clyburn (Eng) 72 68 69 73

SELECTED TOTALS
284 S Walker (Eng) 73 67 72 73 (6th)
288 L Davies (Eng) 78 67 70 73, S Watson (Sco) 69 69 73 77 (T8)
289 E Givens (Eng) 73 72 67 77 (T11).
295 K Walker (Sco) 75 73 77 70, M Thomson (Sco) 76 72 72 75 (T25)
297 R Codde (Ire) 75 76 73 73 (T34)
300 H Burke (Eng) 75 76 78 7 (T40).

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